Enchanted Circle

An 84-mile loop around Wheeler Peak in northern New Mexico, with ski towns, lakes and adobe villages.

Distance
84 miles
Driving
3 hours
Take
2 days
Route
Loop
Plan this trip for your car

The Enchanted Circle loops from Taos through Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. Wheeler Peak, New Mexico's highest summit, rises above it. It suits a relaxed day or weekend with stops for hot springs, hikes and lakes.

The stops

  1. Start

    Taos

  2. Historic

    Taos Pueblo

    UNESCO World Heritage adobe village; check opening times

  3. Town

    Questa

    Gateway to the Rio Grande gorge

  4. Town · Overnight

    Red River

    Old mining town turned ski town

  5. Viewpoint

    Bobcat Pass

    High forest pass with views

  6. Beach

    Eagle Nest Lake

    Lake for fishing and wind

  7. Town

    Angel Fire

    Ski resort town and Vietnam memorial

  8. Viewpoint

    Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

    Bridge 200 m above the river on US 64

  9. Back to the start

    Taos

Where to stay

  • Night 1

    Red River

    Red River motels · Fawn Lakes campground

When to go
May-Oct; ski season Dec-Mar
On the road
Winter snow on passes; check NMDOT.

Take the trip with you

Roadtrip finds the cheapest fuel on the way, warns you about tolls and cameras, and splits the cost with everyone in the car.

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The Roadtrip app showing a drive into London that costs £4.81 each, with fuel prices along the way